Man, Machine and Mountains

Humans have a peculiar relationship with nature. On one hand we are in awe of it and on another we try to master it. I think it is this duality that make men ride their machines up the unforgiving Himalayas. On my journey around Ladakh I came across a lot of bikers. Some were in groups and some like this fellow, were loners. Astride their metal horses, these are the modern-day voyagers. What are they looking for? Is it just the thrill of travel, conquering an inhospitable terrain or is it a journey of self-discovery? I think I'll not know till I dare to embark on such a sojourn myself. They challenge fate amidst the chilly winds and rough surroundings but not without the blessings of their God. The prayer flags are a reminder of man's faith in a higher power who he hopes will protect him against harm. This shot is special to me as it shows the indestructible human spirit, our desire to overcome the mountains in our path, literally and metaphorically.

Flag Position

One brave soul rode a bajaj scooter to Pangong Tso! The road is bad, the winds are chilling at 13,500 ft. This scooter belongs to a guy who works at the small army cafe at the lake. His jobs takes him there but must be one bone-racking yet exhilarating experience to drive up. I loved the morning light filtering through the clouds and lighting up the lake like a portal to another world. Nature is frightening and calming at the same time.

Wrap and Weft

This raffia bag caught my attention during one of my trips to Khan Market. The vibrant colors were quiet a puller. I loved the texture and the details of the natural material. Now that everyone is going green, such things are not only environment friendly but also fashionable. An added bonus is the employment it provides to the people in cottage industry. Looking at the weave made me think how like our lives it was. Isn't our life made of different strands, our life as a child, friend, spouse, parent, boss, citizen of our country etc.? All these lives are woven together to make us complete as the complex person we are. We have our high points and our shadows and all the happy moments that stand out in bright orange against the blues.

Picnic at the big mountain

Chilly morning wind, bank of of an Himalayan lake and and a backdrop of breathtaking mountains, what could be a better spot for a picnic. I saw this group of Americans braving the sharp cold on the side of lake Pangong at 13,500ft up in the Himalayas. Swaddled in down jackets they were enjoying mangoes, the bounty of the tropics. Watching them made me hungry too. All you need is the company of your friends to make even an inhospitable terrain a party place.

I See You

It is said the eyes are the windows to the soul. They show what the face tries to hide. There eyes that are innocent or soulful or mirthful or shifty. The eyes say it all when they blaze with anger, shine with excitement, cry with anguish or twinkle with naughtiness. A laugh is meaningless until it lights up the eyes. Eyes communicate without words without sound. There are looks that can kill and then there are come hither looks. A mother can admonish or reward a child with just one look. Eyes are all seeing but can choose to be metaphorically blind.

Eyes form prominent imagery in Hindu and Buddhist culture. Goddess Kali is depicted by blazing eyes. Shiva's third eye is believed to destroy all. They have inspired centuries of poets. Every artist has tried to capture the soul of the subject in the depiction of the eyes.

Eyes are what attracted me to this statue of the Buddha. The exude a serenity that is very de-stressing. Every time I look at them I feel a little more peaceful with my surrounding. They draw me inwards to the anchor of my innermost thoughts and to the place that calms me. They tell me 'I see you' as you are and not as others perceive you. Be true to yourself and you need not fear what others think of you.

Swamped!

This is that time of the month. Hey! what are you thinking? I was talking about work. The deadline for the magazine Force is looming over my head and there are still stories to come from the client. So no sleep for me tonight. But who's complaining! It is good to have work! Check out the new issue to see how India plans to tackle the threat called China. I for one would start by saying 'NO' to goods made in China. We are gladly supporting their economy at the cost of our own. When will we wake up and stop being penny wise and pound foolish or rather paisa wise and rupee foolish. The Brits ruled India using economy and now China is trying to ruin us using the same tactics. Wish the government was more supportive of manufacturing industry than just the service industry. Manufacturing is what'll give jobs to our unskilled millions. Enhancing their skill set is good in theory but are they going to starve till they get the required skills for an office job. Is the slogan "Gareebi Hatao" or "Gareeb Hatao". Can someone answer this?

Rainsong

Last weekend rain played a spoilsport. I had prayed for rain but not so much in one go that all plans for an evening out were washed away. To top it all there was no power.

But as it is said when life throws lemons your way make lemonade. So, hubby and I sat in the balcony, sipped some coke and ate hot crispy french fries. Reminded me of childhood days when rains meant pakoras by plateful.

I came into the bedroom to take a call and saw this little fellow taking shelter in the rear balcony. Couldn't resist clicking it. I thought that the wet feathers standing up on the head made it look quite rakish.

Every cloud does have a silver lining it seems.

Twenty years Apart

Till a year back, Facebook for me, was just another way to keep in touch with my family on the other side of the globe. My friend list was limited to a half a dozen of cousins. Then I added a few work friends to make connecting easy. And that was that. I did not go looking for people or try to make 'friends'. I live more in the real world than the virtual.

Then, one day I got a message from someone asking me if was the same Aarti who studied with him in school. I was surprised, to say the least. I never occurred to me that someone would go looking for me on Internet. I let the message lay in my inbox, unanswered. I mulled over it for weeks and then thought 'Hey! What the hell! If people want to get back in touch why not? I replied and accepted the friend request. Floodgates opened.

Long lost, some forgotten, some remembered and missed classmates started mushrooming on the site. Friend requests exchanged and accepted. Within a month or so I was in touch with so many of my schoolmates. Now they are friends!

After the initial messaging, all of us wanted to talk. It is very difficult to describe the flow of emotions that accompanied the first conversations. To hear someone's voice after 20 years is astounding. All those memories come rushing in. The sights , sounds, behaviour I associated with them in school was suddenly fresh. The time span of two decades fizzled out. There was no awkwardness no fumbling for words. Guess all that time spent together does account for something.

All of us have changed over the years. What has not changed, is the camaraderie that we shared amongst us in school. I think school years are magical. Growing up may make us cynics but the innocence associated with those childhood days makes us friends all over again.

Thanks to Fb and everyone's efforts to bring back old friends.

My friend list is touching 100 and not with friends of friends or random people. These are my friends 20 years apart yet close.